Damage leads to arrest

Following an argument in the 700 block of Shipley Street in the early evening of Friday, June 7, Jessica L. Smith, 26, of Carmi was placed under arrest for criminal damage to the property of Benjamin J. Smith, 29, on Shipley Street.

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The Carmi Times - Carmi, IL

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Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Following an argument in the 700 block of Shipley Street in the early evening of Friday, June 7, Jessica L. Smith, 26, of Carmi was placed under arrest for criminal damage to the property of Benjamin J. Smith, 29, on Shipley Street.

According to a police report from the White County Sheriff's office, Benjamin Smith called police to his residence after Jessica Smith broke an exterior window on his residence. The altercation began in his pickup truck as they were driving to Norris City. Matthew K. Sallee, 25, was also in the truck.

Sallee became upset with someone on a phone call and heard him state there were baseball bats in the back of the truck at which time Benjamin Smith told him he did not want to be involved and returned to his residence.

After arriving Benjamin and Jessica Smith got into an argument over the use of Benjamin's truck by Jessica to be driven to Norris City. Benjamin reported he took the keys and went into the house at which time Jessica knocked out the front window.

Upon arrival by police, Jessica was located outside the residence squatting away from the home by a camper and Benjamin signed a probable cause complaint for criminal damage. Jessica informed officers she was on her cell phone to call her mother and that she and Benjamin had a physical altercation. Jessica showed officers a cut on her left elbow and scratches on her legs at which officers asked if they could have been there when she ran through the brush when officers arrived on scene. Jessica admitted to putting a machete into the taillight of Benjamin's truck.

In addition to charges of criminal damage to property, Jessica was charged with disorderly conduct. The arresting officer also took down Jessica's claim of the physical altercation with Benjamin.

Jessica was processed for the appropriate charges and was released after posting $150 cash bond and $20 booking fee. Officers were unable to locate Sallee to interview him about the incident.